Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Reserves by Cost Type) (Details) (Project Renewal [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 67.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	$ 23.3us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	53.8	113.7
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(80.9)nwl_RestructuringReserveSettled	(69.6)nwl_RestructuringReserveSettled
Ending Balance	40.3us-gaap_RestructuringReserve	67.4us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Facility Exit Costs and Other [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	0	0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	7.5	5.7
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(7.5)	(5.7)
Ending Balance	0	0
Employee Severance, Termination Benefits And Relocation Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	60.3	19.0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	25.2	93.4
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(62.7)	(52.1)
Ending Balance	22.8	60.3
Contract Termination [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	7.1	4.3
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	21.1	14.6
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(10.7)	(11.8)
Ending Balance	$ 17.5	$ 7.1

Amount of cash and other consideration paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost. May also include certain costs incurred as paid as well as asset write-downs.

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net total Increase or Decrease in the accrual for restructuring costs during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Period Type:	duration